Criteria for calling Severe Weather Net

Who needs to call a severe weather net for the BARC?

1)  The Net Manager

2)  A designated net control

3)  An alternate net control until a designated net control or the net manager comes on the air.

It is noted at this point that the Net Manager or designated net control would continue with the acting net operation and assist the acting net control in reporting duties and relays. There also needs to be alternates during the net, in case the acting net control must take cover or goes off the air for some reason.

Anyone operating a severe weather net must be certified as a Skywarn Weather Spotter. It would also be in the best interest of the net that the net control has reliable telephone or internet link to the National Weather Service and can actively monitor National Weather Service Traffic. This would help in translating information to the National Weather Service and knowing what needs to be reported.

When to call a severe weather net?

1)  When the National Weather Service has requested storm spotter activation.

2)  When a tornado warning has been issued for Independence County.

3)  When a Severe Thunderstorm warning is issued with a tornado watch.

4)  When weather that is reportable to the National Weather Service is observed.

On some occasions, during tornado and thunderstorm watches, would be a good time to be stand-by status. The possibility for calling a severe weather net may exist.

Severe Weather Nets are used to inform the National Weather Service of Serious Flooding, large hail, high winds causing damage, a Wall Cloud, a Funnel Cloud or a Tornado.  These items are listed on the National Weather Service Website for reporting and was also covered in the Storm Spotter Course from the National Weather Service.

Also, check the National Weather Service, Shreveport for educational information and exercises that can be used online to increase knowledge of severe weather and weather forecasting in general.

How to begin a Severe Weather Net?

1) Beginning a Severe Weather Net is much like beginning a regular net. Ask if the Frequency is in use and check      to see if there are other stations that may have already started a net or are preparing to start a net. There is no race to see if you can be the first one to start a net.                                                                                                                   

2) If not then begin with the preamble.

3) Follow the instructions of the preamble and taking check-ins.

Demeanor of a net control station:

Remember, the object of a severe weather net is to gather information and report to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service is requiring ground truth to confirm observations it may have by radar modeling and meteorologist interpretation.

The net control station should always have a calm voice, speak clearly and be understandable at all times. Having a monotone voice is desirable. Keep the excitement out of your voice and this will tend to help maintain a general calm on the reporting net. The net control must keep a log of all check ins, check outs, location of stations, record all traffic passed, and be able to request assistance from other stations when necessary. The net should not have any large amounts of traffic unless it is to report required weather conditions or emergencies. The net control should be as good at listening as he is talking and allow as much quiet time as possible to insure that stations can report traffic that may arise. There is no need to ask each station if they have traffic to report. Check-in stations are to report traffic when it happens. The net must be identified every ten minutes as the BARC Severe Weather Net.

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